Monday, April 27, 2009

I actually worked on the bathroom this past weekend and made some good progress! I'm happy to say that the joint sanding is done and it couldn't have come at a better time. It's starting to get warm in the house or let me say warm enough for me to start breaking a sweat. And having the spackle-dust sweaty paste on my arms is something I could do without. That along with my allergies makes me a pleasure to be around.

It was beautiful out this weekend and it was tough to stay inside but I did it. So I can cross some items off my list!

Friday, April 24, 2009

...to get an work done in the bathroom. Weather forecast says it will be in the mid 80's! I'm really going to need some discipline to stay inside and inhale dust and paint fumes. Hope to get the sanding done tonight and paint and prime tomorrow. Maybe I can make it outside while I wait for the ceiling and walls to dry:)

I also plan on using a paint on waterproofing that I saw on the DIY Network. Not sure if it's exactly the same as the one used on the show but this one looks like a good product (Laticrete Hydro Ban). Says it needs 3-4 hrs to dry so that just means more outside time!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

In an effort to finish up the bathroom project, my wife and I decided to do a quick kitchen renovation this past Sunday. The renovation involved removing a homemade base cabinet (not attached to wall), relocating the gas range and moving (and cleaning) a stainless table that had been in the backyard for a few years. Cleaning the table was a breeze since my wife did it! Moving the cabinet out was a little bit of a pain due to all the clutter in the way. Relocating the range was easy but rerouting the gas line is where it gets a little freaky!

I know the first thing that would come to mind when talking about gas lines is the possibility of me blowing up the house. The freaky thing is nowhere near that. Well maybe you could say it's related because it happened when I was in the basement checking the gas fitting for leaks. The fitting is only accessible by reaching between two heating ducts, this also means to get a good look at the fitting you need to stick your head between the ducts.

Now here's the freaky part: I put the leak detection solution on the fitting and stick my head up to get a good look. Since my head is up there I decide to look to see what's on top of the ducts, maybe some hidden treasure or more likely a dead rat. Well it was neither of the two. I turned my head and saw some kind of handle wrapped with duct tape, look a little closer and see something that looked like a hammer to a gun. "No, it can't be" I think to myself. So, of course that natural thing to do is reach up and grab it and yup, it was a gun! It was small revolver and looked like a toy, but it was heavy and I could see bullets where in it. The weird part was the handle being wrapped, almost like trying to conceal fingerprints.

Of course thoughts start flying into my head, "maybe it was used in a crime", "maybe there's hidden evidence around the house", "maybe a murder victim!" ahhhh! I need to call my neighbor who's an ex-detective to solve the crime! Turns out to be a starter pistol, not one that you use when you're starting your life of crime, but one used to start races. Where's the excitement in that? The taped handle is still strange though, maybe...

Monday, April 20, 2009

This freakin' bathroom is killing me!!! Actually it's the sanding of the joints that is killing me! I thought I had the ceiling all done until it was primed. There's one joint that just looks like crap so I will have to go back and fix it. I will breathe easier once this is done.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Last night I took a much needed "Guys night out" with the neighbors. My family and I are actually very lucky and have a great relationship with many of our neighbors. We have a good mix of young and old families and can regularly be found at some sort of event at each others homes.

Growing up, the most we ever did was to wave "hello" to our neighbors so I didn't expect much when we moved to our house 6 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised when we got invited to the annual block party and the rest has just been one big party afterwards...

It really takes a lot of discipline to get things done and my lack of it is really holding me back. For example, if I just took the time last night to spackle over the screw divet in the ceiling I would be set to prime it tonight. But at the time, after spending an hour sanding I just didn't want to go through the whole process.

I've really got to get this project done as I feel it is really holding back in all parts of my life!

Friday, April 10, 2009

The week started off well and I actually worked on the bathroom on Monday night. A little more sanding and we should be ready to paint the ceiling and the walls. But that's where it ends as far as progress. My wife caught some stomach virus and wasn't in any kind of mood to be left with the kids.

We only have the youngest with us 'til Saturday so hopefully I can get something done tonight and early tomorrow. One tip I do have for spackling joints is: don't worry too much about getting the joint perfect when applying the joint compound - SANDING is your friend and can fix a lot.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Or at least a good kick in the arse! The finishing of the bathroom is not going as planned. I think the sanding of the drywall joints really put me off. Well, maybe not the sanding - it's the cleaning up afterwards.

Plus having 3 young kids and a mountain of everyday housework doesn't help. I don't know how other people do it.

In an effort to get motivated, I'm going to list the things I have left and hopefully get them done this week.

Our House - Forest Hall

Circa 1865, our house is a Second Empire Victorian. We are only the 3rd owners and purchased the house from a sweet 80 yr old women who had lived here for over 50 years. Much of the original interior details are still intact (just painted pistachio green!). My wife and I, together with our 3 young saplings, hope to live here for a very long time. We hope to do what we can to restore the house to it's original glory. Let the fun begin!